US3309891A

US3309891A - Salt water ice making machine

Info

Publication number: US3309891A
Application number: US519742A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leonard A Stiller
Original assignee: Lasco Industries Inc
Current assignee: Lasco Industries Inc
Priority date: 1966-01-10
Filing date: 1966-01-10
Publication date: 1967-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 1984-03-21

Description

March 21, 1967 L. A. STILLER SALT WATER ICE MAKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 10, 1966 AUGER DRIVE FlG.i

/AUGER ICE MAKER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WATER PUMP l20-"ENGlNE INVENTOR. LEONARD A. STILLER ATTORNEYS March 21,1967 L. A. STILLER SALT WATER ICE MAKING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. l0, 1966 INVENTOR LEONARD A. STILLER 4/1 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,309,891 SALT WATER ICE MAKING MACHINE Leonard A. Stiller, Fort Lauderdaie, Fla., assignor to Lasco Industries, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a corporation of Florida Filed Jan. 10, 1966, Ser. No. 519,742 9 Claims. (Cl. 62-323) This invention relates generally to ice making apparatus, and refers more particularly to a machine for making ice from salt water.

The present invention provides an improved machine for making ice which is particularly adapted to be used on small fishing craft and similar installations.

It is an essential object of this invention to provide an ice making machine which utilizes its own source of power and does not require any auxiliary equipment for the operation thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ice making machine having a compressor 110, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator, and also having a freezing chamber refrigerated by the evaporator and a rotatable anger in the freezing chamber for removing ice formed on the wall thereof, with a single engine for operating both the compressor and the auger.

Another object of the invention is to provide drives for operating the compressor and for rotating the auger means respectively, and a single engine for operating both drives.

Another object is to provide an engine output shaft, a clutch between the shaft in one of the drives, the other of the drives being connected to and operated from the first-mentioned drive.

Another object is to provide an ice making machine as hereinbefore described including a Water pump having a water inlet, first outlet passage means from the pump to the water inlet of the freezing chamber, second outlet passage means from the pump to the condenser, and third outlet passage means from the pump to the cooling system of the engine.

Another object is to provide an ice making machine wherein the engine has an exhaust line, and means are provided for delivering the water from the condenser and from the engine cooling system to the exhaust line.

Another object is to provide the exhaust line with a tank for the collection of water to prevent back-flow to the engine.

Another object is to provide the outlet passage from the pump to the inlet of the freezing chamber with a pre-cooling coil surrounding the evaporator and vwith a reservoir, with means for closing the water passage when the reservoir contains a certain maximum amount of water.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of apparatus embodying my invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side View thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a schematic showing the coolant and water paths.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view, partly broken away and sectioned, of the evaporator and freezing chamber.

'FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of FIGURE 4.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the machine is generally designated and includes an evaporator and freezing chamber assembly designated 11, which will now be described in detail. The assembly 11 includes a vertical cylinder 12, the interior of which defines a freezing chamber 13. This cylinder is preferably formed of metal having a relatively high heat conductivity.

An auger 14 is disposed within the freezing chamber in concentric relation therewith. The lower end of the auger has a reduced portion 16 which projects through the bottom wall 18 of the cylinder. A bearing 22 in the bottom of the cylinder supports the lower reduced end portion 16 of the auger for rotation. The auger will normally be turned on the order of about fourteen revolutions per minute, but of course the speed may vary considerably as desired.

The main body portion of the anger is spaced from the cylindrical wall 28 of the freezing chamber. A helical rib or blade 26 is provided on the body portion of the auger and extends substantially throughout the full length thereof. The blade 26 extends close to the cylindrical wall 28 of the freezing chamber to scrape ice formed thereon and elevate it for discharge through the outlet 27 near the upper end of the cylinder. A bearing 30 supports the upper reduced end of the auger. The bearing is shaped with a cylindrical portion 32 spaced radially inwardly from the wall 28 of the freezing chamber opposite the outlet 27, and with an annular frusto-conical portion 33 for deflecting the ice through outlet 27.

A chute 34 extends from the outlet 27 to a suitable collection bin.

Throughout a major portion of its length, the cylinder 12 is surrounded by a second cylinder in concentric radially outwardly spaced relation thereto. The annular space 42 between the

cylinders

12 and 40 provides a passage for coolant. A suitable coolant such as Freon from a compressor, described more fully hereinafter, is flowed through the annular space 42, entering through pipe 43 and expansion valve 44, and returning to the compressor by way of pipe 46.

A helical member 48 surrounds cylinder 12 in the space between

cylinders

12 and 40. This helical member is in the form of a hollow tube of uniform inside and outside diameter, and throughout its entire length is in continuous line contact with the

cylinders

12 and 40. Tube 48 is sealed at the ends to isolate the interior of the tube from the freon flowing through passage 42. The convolutions of the tube are spaced from one another uniformly as indicated. The space between adjacent convolutions is slightly greater than the Outside diameter of the tube 43. The tube 48 occupies less than half the volume of space between

cylinders

12 and 46 so that the helical passage from inlet to outlet defined between the cylinders is greater than the space occupied by the tube itself. Since the tube 48 has substantially only line contact with the cylinder 12, substantially the entire outer surface of the tube 12 is exposed to the coolant flowing through the helical passage between the cylinders. Accordingly, the reduction in surface area of the cylinder 12 exposed to the action of the coolant because of contact with the helical tube 48 is extremely small.

As seen particularly in FIGURE 5, the outside Wall of the cylinder 12 is formed with a plurality of closely spaced annular grooves 49 concentric with the cylinder axis, producing ribs or fins 50 between the grooves. The surface area of the outside wall of cylinder 12 is thereby increased by the fin formations. Accordingly, a greater rate of heat transfer from the freezing chamber outward to the space between

cylinders

12 and 40 is effected. In this way the efiiciency of the freezing chamber and the rapidity with which ice is formed, is increased.

Salt water is conducted through the pipe to the helical pre-cooling coil 62 which surrounds cylinder 40. The pump 63 is provided to pump the water into pipe 60. The outlet pipe 64 of the pre-cooling coil then enters the reservoir 65. The reservoir is in the form of a cylinder 7i] and has a bottom plate 72 secured directly to the housing 74. A ring 76 also surrounds cylinder 72 and likewise is secured to the housing wall.

The outlet pipe 64 leads into reservoir 65 and is controlled by a valve 78. The valve 78 is connected to a lever 80 operated by a link 32 on the reservoir float 84. As the level of water in the reservoir rises, the float rises to close the valve 78 and shut off the outlet pipe 64. As the level in the reservoir drops, the valve 78 is opened. From the bottom of the reservoir, the pipe 86 leads to the lower end of cylinder 12 to admit pre-cooled sea water to the freezing chamber.

The pre-cooling coil 62 is preferably separated from cylinder 40 by a thin insulation strip of cylindrical form designated 90. Accordingly, the salt water is pre-cooled before it enters the freezing chamber, but the insulation strip prevents the salt water from becoming frozen and clogging the pre-cooling coil. The insulation strip in some instances may be omitted, the cylinder 40 then being relied upon to provide sufficient insulation between the pre-cooling coil and the space 42.

A cleaning pin 92 projects radially outward from the auger and then in an upward direction parallel to the axis of the auger. The cleaning pin is disposed adjacent the outlet 27 and has an upper end adjacent to and beveled at the same angle as the frusto-conical surface 33. The cleaning pin is provided to break up and clear ice which may otherwise accumulate at the upper end of the auger so that it may readily be deflected by the frusto-conical surface 33 out through the chute 34.

The coolant in the helical space 42 is preferably at a temperature such that the interior of the freezing chamber is maintained at about --50 P. which is a sufliciently low temperature to freeze salt water relatively rapidly. The salt water is conducted into the freezing chamber through the inlet 86 and on contact with the wall 28 of the freezing chamber is rapidly changed into a slush which is elevated through the freezing chamber by the blade or rib 26 of the auger for discharge in a chipped or flaked, but solid, state through the outlet 27. The freezing chamber is rapidly cooled by the passage of Freon or other suitable coolant through the helical space 42. The helical passage produced by the member 48 causes a uniform flow of the coolant in contact with substantially the entire outer surface of cylinder 12. While inducing a helical flow, the tubular member 48 does not substantially reduce the surface area of cylinder 12 in contact with the flowing coolant, because the member 48 is of circular cross-section and has only substantially line contact with the cylinder. Also, the total space between the cylinders, over any given length of the space, is reduced by less than half because of the circular cross-section of member 48 and the fact that adjacent convolutions are spaced slightly greater than the outside diameter of member 48. Moreover, the grooving of the outer surface of cylinder 12 to provide the fins or ribs 50 increases the surface area of cylinder 12 and promotes a more rapid transfer of heat from the freezing chamber outward.

The housing 74 includes a cylindrical shell and end plates 102. The unit is enclosed with the housing, and the housing around the unit is filled with a suitable insulation material 104. The end plates enclose and seal the ends of the space 42 between the cylinders. The shell 100 and lower end plate 102 have suitable openings to accommodate the

pipes

43, 46, 60 and 64.

The refrigeration circuit includes in addition to the evaporator and the expansion valve, a compressor and a condenser 112 (FIGS. 1-3). The outlet pipe 46 from the evaporator 11 leads to the compressor 110 in which the coolant is raised in pressure. The coolant from the compressor then goes by way of pipe 114 to the condenser 112 in which heat is removed from the compressed refrigerant causing it to condense to a liquid. From the condenser the liquified coolant goes to the expansion valve 44 through drier 115 by way of line 116. The drier removes water from the coolant.

The apparatus or machine includes an engine which preferably is a diesel. The engine has an output shaft 122 which is connected to a shaft 124 by a manually operatecl clutch 126. The shaft 124 leads to and serves as the drive for the compressor 110. The shaft 124 has a pulley 128 secured thereon, and a belt 130 around the pulley operates a gear box 132. A rod 134 between the gear box 132 and the auger 14 is connected to the output shaft of the gear box and to the lower end 16 of the auger by suitable universal joints 136. In this manner, the diesel engine operates the compressor and also drives the auger. It will be noted that the diesel engine 120, the compressor 110, the gear box 132, and the condenser are all mounted on the same base 135 and form a compact unitary assembly.

The water pump 63 is also mounted on the base and is included as a part of the assembly. In addition to the outlet 69 from the Water pump leading to the pre-cooling coil 62, the pump 63 also has an outlet passage leading to the cooling system of the diesel engine, and another outlet passage 142 leading to the condenser. The water leading to the diesel engine is supplied to the cooling system thereof. The water supplied to the condenser serves to cool the compressed coolant that passes thereto from the compressor and to liquify the same. There is a single water inlet 143 to the pump 63.

The diesel exhaust line is indicated at 145. This line extends from one end of the elongated cylindrical horizontal tank 146 mounted on the side of the diesel. The exhaust from the diesel flows into one end of the tank via pipe 148. It will be noted that a water line 150 from the cooling system of the diesel engine connects into the exhaust outlet 145. It will also be noted that the return water line 152 from the condenser 112 leads to the exhaust outlet 145. The water from the condenser and from the cooling system of the engine wet the exhaust as it discharges and assists in muffiing the discharge.

There is a valve 154 on the bottom of the tank which is opened when the diesel is stopped so that any water in the tank will be drained and will not flow back into the engine. This valve is closed in operation. The tank is provided so that any excess of water returning from the cooling system of the diesel and from the condenser will collect in the tank rather than back-fiow into the engine.

While the machine is especially adapted to use sea or salt water, fresh water may also be used.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. An ice making machine comprising a cylinder defining therein a freezing chamber, means for admitting water into said chamber, means for chilling said chamber to form ice on the wall thereof comprising an evaporator surrounding said cylinder, an ice outlet from said freezing chamber, rotatable auger means in said chamber for removing ice from said chamber wall and delivering the same to said ice outlet, an expansion valve, a compressor, a condenser, means for conveying a coolant from the evaporator to the compressor, from the compressor to the condenser, from the condenser to the expansion valve and from the expansion valve to the evaporator, drives for operating said compressor and for rotating said auger means respectively, a single engine for operating both said drives, said engine having an output shaft, a manual clutch between said shaft and the drive for said compressor, the drive for said auger means comprising a gear box operatively connected to and operated by the drive for said compressor, a connection from said gear box to said auger means, a water pump, a water inlet to said pump, first outlet passage means from said pump to said means for admitting water to said chamber, second outlet passage means from said pump to said condenser, and third outlet passage means from said pump to the cooling system of said engine.

2. The ice making machine defined in claim 1, wherein said engine has an exhaust line, and means for delivering the Water from said condenser and from said engine cooling system to said exhaust line.

3. The ice making machine defined in claim 2, wherein said exhaust line has a tank for the collection of water to prevent back-flow to said engine.

4. The ice making machine defined in claim 3, wherein said first outlet passage means includes a pre-cooling coil surrounding said evaporator and a reservoir, and means for closing said first outlet water passage means when said reservoir contains a certain maximum amount of water.

5. The ice making machine defined in claim 6, wherein said exhaust line has a tank for the collection of water to prevent back-flow to said engine.

6. An ice making machine comprising a cylinder defining therein a freezing chamlber, means for admitting water into said chamber, means for chilling said chamber to form ice on the Wall thereof comprising an evaporator surrounding said cylinder, an ice outlet from said freezing chamber, rotatable auger means in said chamber for removing ice from said chamber wall and delivering the same to said ice outlet, an expansion valve, a compressor, a condenser, means for conveying a coolant from the evaporator to the compressor, from the compressor to the condenser, from the condenser to the expansion valve and from the expansion valve to the evaporator, drives for operating said compressor and for rotating said auger means respectively, a single engine for operating both said drives, a water pump, a Water inlet to said pump, first outlet passage means from said pump to said means for admitting Water to said chamber, second outlet passage means from said pump to said condenser, third outlet passage means from said pump to the cooling system of said engine, said engine having an exhaust line, and means for delivering the water from said condenser and from said engine cooling system to said exhaust line.

7. An ice making machine comprising a cylinder defining therein a freezing chamber, means for admitting water into said chamber, means for chilling said chamber to form ice on the wall thereof comprising an evaporator surrounding said cylinder, an ice outlet from said freezing chamber, rotatable auger means in said chamber for removing ice 'from said chamber Wall and delivering the same to said ice outlet, an expansion valve, a compressor, a condenser, means for conveying a coolant from the evaporator to the compressor, from the compressor to the condenser, from the condenser to the expansion valve and from the expansion valve to the evaporator, drives for operating said compressor and for rotating said auger means respectively, a single engine for operating both said drives, a single water pump, a water inlet to said pump, first outlet passage means from said pump to said means for admitting water to said chamber, said first outlet passage means including a pre-cooling coil surrounding said evaporator and a reservoir, means for closing said first outlet water passage means when said reservoir contains a certain maximum amount of water, and second outlet passage means from said pump to said condenser.

8. The ice making machine defined in claim 7, wherein a third outlet passage means is provided from said pump to the cooling system of said engine.

9. The ice making machine defined in claim 7, wherein said engine has an exhaust line, and means for delivering water from said condenser to said exhaust line.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,034,311 5/1962 Nelson 62320 3,052,103 9/1962 Clark 62323 X 3,195,522 7/1965 Swenson 62-323 X 3,209,550 10/1965 Charran et al. 62-323 X ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner.

W. E. WAYNER, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

6. AN ICE MAKING MACHINE COMPRISING A CYLINDER DEFINING THEREIN A FREEZING CHAMBER, MEANS FOR ADMITTING WATER INTO SAID CHAMBER, MEANS FOR CHILLING SAID CHAMBER TO FORM ICE ON THE WALL THEREOF COMPRISING AN EVAPORATOR SURROUNDING SAID CYLINDER, AN ICE OUTLET FROM SAID FREEZING CHAMBER, ROTATABLE AUGER MEANS IN SAID CHAMBER FOR REMOVING ICE FROM SAID CHAMBER WALL AND DELIVERING THE SAME TO SAID ICE OUTLET, AN EXPANSION VALVE, A COMPRESSOR, A CONDENSER, MEANS FOR CONVEYING A COOLANT FROM THE EVAPORATOR TO THE COMPRESSOR, FROM THE COMPRESSOR TO THE CONDENSER, FROM THE CONDENSER TO THE EXPANSION VALVE AND FROM THE EXPANSION VALVE TO THE EVAPORATOR, DRIVES FOR OPERATING SAID COMPRESSOR AND FOR ROTATING SAID AUGER MEANS RESPECTIVELY, A SINGLE ENGINE FOR OPERATING BOTH SAID DRIVES, A WATER PUMP, A WATER INLET TO SAID PUMP, FIRST OUTLET PASSAGE MEANS FROM SAID PUMP TO SAID MEANS FOR ADMITTING WATER TO SAID CHAMBER, SECOND OUTLET PASSAGE MEANS FROM SAID PUMP TO SAID CONDENSER, THIRD OUTLET PASSAGE MEANS FROM SAID PUMP TO THE COOLING SYSTEM OF SAID ENGINE, SAID ENGINE HAVING AN EXHAUST LINE, AND MEANS FOR DELIVERING THE WATER FROM SAID CONDENSER AND FROM SAID ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM TO SAID EXHAUST LINE.